CT to WAT Time Converter
WAT is 6 hours ahead of CT. The US Central states are currently on CDT (UTC-5:00), and WAT is UTC+1:00.
Best Time to Call Between CT and WAT
Both zones are inside normal business hours between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM CT — that's 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM WAT. That's a 2-hour window.
both at work CT only WAT only neither — hours along the strip are CT.
Common Times Converted
CT on the left, WAT on the right.
CT to WAT: Full 24-Hour Conversion Table
Shaded rows are working hours; the darker shade marks the hours when both zones are at work.
| CT | WAT | Working hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 6:00 AM | — |
| 1:00 AM | 7:00 AM | — |
| 2:00 AM | 8:00 AM | — |
| 3:00 AM | 9:00 AM | WAT only |
| 4:00 AM | 10:00 AM | WAT only |
| 5:00 AM | 11:00 AM | WAT only |
| 6:00 AM | 12:00 PM | WAT only |
| 7:00 AM | 1:00 PM | WAT only |
| 8:00 AM | 2:00 PM | WAT only |
| 9:00 AM | 3:00 PM | Both zones |
| 10:00 AM | 4:00 PM | Both zones |
| 11:00 AM | 5:00 PM | CT only |
| 12:00 PM | 6:00 PM | CT only |
| 1:00 PM | 7:00 PM | CT only |
| 2:00 PM | 8:00 PM | CT only |
| 3:00 PM | 9:00 PM | CT only |
| 4:00 PM | 10:00 PM | CT only |
| 5:00 PM | 11:00 PM | — |
| 6:00 PM | 12:00 AM next day | — |
| 7:00 PM | 1:00 AM next day | — |
| 8:00 PM | 2:00 AM next day | — |
| 9:00 PM | 3:00 AM next day | — |
| 10:00 PM | 4:00 AM next day | — |
| 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM next day | — |
What CT and WAT Actually Are
CT — Central Time
Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Mexico City, Winnipeg. Standing at UTC-6:00 as written, and the region does change its clocks, so its live offset moves by an hour twice a year. The next change is on Sunday, November 1, 2026, to CST.
Central Time is the widest US zone by land area, stretching from the Gulf coast to the Canadian border, and it also covers Mexico City.
WAT — West Africa Time
Lagos, Abuja, Kinshasa, Luanda, Douala. Standing at UTC+1:00 as written, and the region does not change its clocks, so that offset holds all year.
West Africa Time covers a long north-south strip of the continent, and because it sits near the equator its daylight hours barely shift across the year.
What This Means in Practice
This gap is not fixed
CT changes its clocks and WAT does not, so the difference between them moves by an hour twice a year. A recurring meeting set now will drift for one side from Sunday, November 1, 2026 unless someone resets it.
Major Cities in Each Zone
Cities on CT
Cities on WAT
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between CT and WAT?
WAT is 6 hours ahead of CT. That is the live figure. Taken strictly as written, the gap between CT and WAT is 7 hours — the two differ because at least one of these regions is currently on daylight saving.
What is 9:00 AM CT in WAT?
9:00 AM CT is 3:00 PM WAT.
What are the best hours to schedule a call between CT and WAT?
Between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM CT, which is 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM WAT. Both sides are inside normal business hours through that window.
Does the difference between CT and WAT change during the year?
Yes. CT observes daylight saving and WAT does not, so the gap shifts by an hour at least twice a year. The next clock change is on Sunday, November 1, 2026.